You Can Turn Back the Clock - Mens Sana in Corpore Sano

Yesterday, after 3 years, I finally managed to repeat the same triathlon event on behalf of Prostate UK - the aptly-named Prostate UK Castle Combe Rowing Triathlon (excellently organised as usual by Will Whitmore at DB Max).

So I was keen to find out if I'd improved on the previous one - if I'd turned back the clock.

It was a very near thing, as you can see. But I did it, literally, 'on the run' (NOTE: this year's run time included T2 transition from the bike)

	total	3k row	T1	20k cycle	T2	3k run
2007	1:13:29	11:16	1:35	43:27	2:01	15:10
2008	1:11:51	11:29	1:37	43:25	?	15:20 (incl T2)

Comparing the training regimes, year-on-year, I'd have to put the improvement down to last month's consumption of booze and cigars at Henley Regatta...

Mens Sana in Corpore Sano

Now that I'm "rising 43" (as my children's school might put it) any motivation to keep in shape is critical.

So I'm competing to raise money for Prostate UK again this year in a series of "rowathlons" organised by DB Max.

Rowathlons are triathlons with the swimming leg replaced by a stint on an indoor rower. I find them satisfying to train for because of the variety in the three elements and the need to build gradually towards an event. So I can train all year to avoid the beer belly and still not get stuck in a rut. Oh, and I can also sit down to watch inane daytime television during the rowing sessions, instead of staring at the black line on the bottom of a pool.

Of course, the events themselves are where the rubber hits the road, and you really get to see the results of all the training (and any missed sessions!).

These are niche events, with 100 to 150 competitors - not some giant crowd - and tend to be run at race circuits or parks to avoid the hassle of traffic (and hills!).

So far, there are three events scheduled for this season:

• Trybike Mallory Park Rowing Triathlon - May 5th - 2.5k row, 20k cycle, 5k run
  
• Castle Combe Rowing Triathlon - August 10th - 3k, 20k, 3k
• Reading (Green Park) Rowing Triathlon - August 30th - 2.5k, 7k, 2.8k

Why not give one of them a go?